Problem with SPS

[oualid]

I have an Stylopora pistillata milka SPS coral that is dying.
I can't keep my SPS corals alive and I don't understand what is the problem.
Every time when I buy a new SPS it dies after 1-2 months.
I have no problem with the LPS are fine.

Here is the levels in my aquarium

Phosphate 0,25mg/L
Nitrite: 0,5mg/L
KH 7,7 dKH
Mg 1410 ppm
Ca 500 ppm
Salinity 1,025
Temperature 25c
Good water circulation
I use active carbon + de*nitrate in the external filter (have no sump)

I am using LED light (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/120cm-48inch-4ft-programmable-controlled-led-reef-coral-screen-for-SPS-LPS-lunar-cycle-sunrise-sunset/910681400.html)

My Aquarium is 350L = 92 US gal
2 years old.

Any idea?

 

[maxxin69]

Did the polyps and flesh turn white then disappear? Or did it just start melting away?

 

[DFW]

Phosphates are high for sps, and what do you call good flow? My experience with stylos is they like very high flow, and they like to be up close to the light. I bet that leather is blocking flow to the stylo, and maybe you could place it higher in the tank for better lighting, too. Since you have a mixed reef, I would do a lot of carbon. Very nice tank!

 

[gregoryleonard]

That happened to my purple stylo and it was due to Alkalinity fluctuations. I would get your alk up to 8.00 and keep it stable. do you dose for alk now? Do you test frequently for Alk as well (once a week)? Just my opinion.

 

[that Reef Guy]

Phosphates are high for sps, and what do you call good flow? My experience with stylos is they like very high flow, and they like to be up close to the light. I bet that leather is blocking flow to the stylo, and maybe you could place it higher in the tank for better lighting, too. Since you have a mixed reef, I would do a lot of carbon. Very nice tank!

I agree people tell me that they have high flow all the time and when I ask them more details about flow it is like 10% of what my SPS Tank has.

0.25 Phosphate would not kill the SPS.

My SPS Tank used to have Phosphates at 1.17 and I had no problems (Probably just had slower growth) but nothing died.

 

[oualid]

Thank you for the answers!

Did the polyps and flesh turn white then disappear? Or did it just start melting away?

It just start melting away exactly like all other SPS that I bought.

About the flow I am using 3 pumps, you can see them in the picture. Two at the left side and one at the right side.
In addition there is flow from the external filter where I have the carbon and de*nitrate.

I am using a dosing pump to maintain MG and alk stable, the Ca is always high. I don't understand how it cold be. Maybe it is something wrong with the Salifert test kit.
I check the value 1-2 times a week.

The light is LED from china http://www.aliexpress.com/item/120cm...910681400.html
Could be the light?

 

[that Reef Guy]

Thank you for the answers!



It just start melting away exactly like all other SPS that I bought.

About the flow I am using 3 pumps, you can see them in the picture. Two at the left side and one at the right side.
In addition there is flow from the external filter where I have the carbon and de*nitrate.

I am using a dosing pump to maintain MG and alk stable, the Ca is always high. I don't understand how it cold be. Maybe it is something wrong with the Salifert test kit.
I check the value 1-2 times a week.

The light is LED from china http://www.aliexpress.com/item/120cm...910681400.html
Could be the light?

I have had Calcium over 500 with no problems.

What are you testing the water with? Some brands of test kits are very innacurate.

What are you measuring Salinity with?

 

[Acro76 Verified Sponsor]

A few suggestions....

Calibrate your dosing pumps... even if they were previously calibrated, I've had some drift over time. Are you dosing 2 or 3 part solution?

Check RO/Di output, whenever my TDS would sneak up I would see some STN on the underside of some acros after a water change.

It's not the light, if it was your stylo would either turn brown, or bleach... not die from the base up.

 

[powdermonkey]

Wow some help from CC! I know guys like you are busy but would love to see more post from people that actually live this stuff.
Was the aquarium new?

 

[oualid]

A few suggestions....

Calibrate your dosing pumps... even if they were previously calibrated, I've had some drift over time. Are you dosing 2 or 3 part solution?

Check RO/Di output, whenever my TDS would sneak up I would see some STN on the underside of some acros after a water change.

It's not the light, if it was your stylo would either turn brown, or bleach... not die from the base up.

The dosing pump is calibrated and I am using Balling method.

I used a clue from Germany to attache the coral to the rock, maybe it is the cause of the problem.